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Seven Killed as Marine Helicopter Crashes in Anbar Province

By John J. KruzelAmerican Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Feb. 7, 2007  All seven crewmembers and passengers were killed when a Marine Corps CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter went down in Iraq’s Anbar province this morning, a senior U.S. military officer based in Baghdad confirmed today.

Army Maj. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV, Multinational Force Iraq spokesman, told reporters the helicopter went down about 20 miles northwest of Baghdad.

The helicopter and its crew were conducting routine operations, military officials said. The servicemembers’ names are being withheld pending notification of next of kin.

Caldwell would not comment on the possible causes of the incident. “The investigation is going on as we speak,” he said. A quick reaction force team had arrived at the crash site, he added.